Pericardium Meridian - The Pericardium Channel of Hand Jue-Yin

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Quick Facts

Associated Organ

Pericardium

Acupuncture Points

9 points

Peak Hours

19:00 - 21:00

Flow Direction

Centrifugal (away from torso)

Overview

The Pericardium Meridian (Hand Jueyin) is known as the "Heart Protector" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This Yin channel runs from the chest to the middle fingertip with 9 acupuncture points. It acts as a protective shield for the Heart, absorbing emotional and pathogenic stress that might otherwise damage this vital organ. The Pericardium governs our capacity for emotional intimacy, helping regulate when to open up to others and when to maintain healthy boundaries. Its peak activity time is 7-9 PM, making it ideal for gentle relaxation practices in the evening.

24-Hour Qi Circulation Cycle

Previous in cycle

Kidney Meridian

Current Channel

Pericardium Meridian

19:00 - 21:00

Peak Activity Hours

Next in cycle

Triple Burner Meridian

Channel Pathways

The Pericardium Meridian consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.

Pericardium Primary Channel

手厥阴心包经 | Shǒu Jué Yīn Xīn Bāo Jīng

Pathway Description

The internal pathway:

The Pericardium Primary Channel starts in the center of the chest at the same level as Shanzhong REN-17 in the center of the two nipples.
It then connects with the Pericardium.
Afterwards, it runs inside the breasts and emerges at Tianchi P-1, which is about 1 cun lateral to the nipple in the 4th intercostal space.

The external pathway:

It ascends and arches over the axilla, flows along the antero-medial aspect of the upper arm, between the Lung and Heart Channel.
Passing the elbow at Quze P-3, it continues along the forearm between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles, where Ximen P-4, Jianshi P-5, Neiguan P-6 and Daling P-7 are found.
It then reaches Laogong P-8 at the center of the palm.
Finally, it runs along the middle finger and terminates at the tip at Zhongchong P-9.

Branches:

One internal branch starts from the center of the chest, the same place as the main pathway. It then penetrates the diaphragm to the abdomen and connects with the Upper, Middle and Lower Burner.
Another internal branch starts from Laogong P-8 at the center of the palm. It runs along the radial aspect of the ring finger and connects with the Triple Burner Primary Channel at the tip.

Pericardium Divergent Channel

手厥阴经别 | Shǒu Jué Yīn Jīng Bié

Pericardium Sinew Channel

手厥阴经筋 | Shǒu Jué Yīn Jīng Jīn

Pathway Description

The Pericardium Sinew Channel starts from the tip of the middle finger.
It goes along the anterior aspect of the middle finger and then the 3rd metacarpal bone.
Spreading through the palm center, it binds in the middle of the wrist, together with the Lung Sinew Channel.
It goes up further along the anterior aspect of the forearm and bind at Quze P-3 at the elbow.
Continuing up the anteromedial aspect of the upper arm, it binds at the axilla and passes Yuanye GB-22, which is the meeting point of the three hand Yin Sinew Channels.
From there, the Sinew Channel separates to two branches:
- One branch descends and disperses on the anterior, lateral and posterior aspects of the costal region.
- The other branch enters the chest, disperses inside the chest cavity and finally binds at the diaphragm.

Pericardium Luo-Connecting Vessel System

手厥阴络脉 | Shǒu Jué Yīn Luò Mài

Five Element Correspondences

Traditional associations of the Pericardium and its meridian within the Five Element framework.

Emotion

Joy (excess), Anxiety/Overwhelm

Color

Red

Taste

Bitter

Climate

Heat

Sense Organ

Tongue (shared with Heart)

Tissue

Blood Vessels (shared with Heart)

Manifests In

Complexion (facial color)

Sound

Laughing

Body Fluid

Sweat (shared with Heart)

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points along the Pericardium Meridian and related points from other channels.

9 Points on this Channel

Tianchi

PC-1

Tianquan

PC-2

Quze

PC-3

Ximen

PC-4

Jianshi

PC-5

Neiguan

PC-6

Daling

PC-7

Laogong

PC-8

Zhongchong

PC-9

Related Points from Other Channels

Shanzhong REN-17

Front-Mu point of the Pericardium; major point for chest qi and emotional release

Jueyinshu BL-14

Back-Shu point of the Pericardium on the Bladder meridian

Detailed Information

In-depth information about the Pericardium Meridian and its clinical significance.

Overview of the Pericardium Meridian

The Pericardium Meridian, also called Hand Jueyin (手厥阴心包经), is one of the 12 primary meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It pairs with the Triple Burner (San Jiao) in an interior-exterior relationship. While Western medicine views the pericardium simply as the protective sac around the heart, TCM considers it a distinct energetic system with profound influence on both physical heart function and emotional wellbeing.

Pathway and Trajectory

The channel originates in the chest at the pericardium organ. An internal branch descends through the diaphragm to connect with the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao (the three burning spaces). The external pathway emerges at PC-1 (Tianchi), located 1 cun lateral to the nipple in the 4th intercostal space. It ascends to the armpit, then travels down the medial aspect of the upper arm—running between the Lung and Heart meridians. It passes through the elbow crease, continues along the center of the forearm between two tendons, enters the palm at PC-8 (Laogong), and terminates at the tip of the middle finger at PC-9 (Zhongchong). A small branch connects from the palm to the ring finger, linking with the Triple Burner meridian.

Key Functions

The Pericardium serves as the "King's Bodyguard," protecting the Heart from both external pathogens and internal emotional disturbances. When excessive emotions like anger, fear, or grief threaten to overwhelm the Heart, the Pericardium absorbs this impact. It also governs our relationships and emotional boundaries—our capacity to open up to intimacy while protecting ourselves from emotional harm. The channel connects with Ming Men (Gate of Vitality), supporting warmth and vitality throughout the body.

Clinical Applications

Pericardium points treat heart, chest, stomach, and mental-emotional conditions. Key clinical uses include: cardiac disorders (palpitations, chest pain, irregular heartbeat), emotional disturbances (anxiety, heartbreak, relationship difficulties), digestive issues (nausea, vomiting), and febrile diseases with delirium. PC-6 (Neiguan) is particularly famous for treating nausea, motion sickness, and calming the spirit, while PC-7 (Daling) excels at clearing Heart heat and healing emotional wounds, especially after relationship breakups.

Signs of Imbalance

When the Pericardium meridian is disrupted, symptoms may include: chest tightness and discomfort, heart palpitations, facial flushing or redness, yellow eyes, pain along the arm's inner aspect, hot palms, excessive or inappropriate laughter, and difficulty with emotional boundaries (either too guarded or too vulnerable). The Ying (Nutritive) level heat pattern is the primary diagnostic pattern associated with this channel.

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